Drawer Slide Sizing Calculator
Enter your internal cabinet depth below to find the exact undermount slide size and drawer depth you need.
Measure from the back interior wall straight to the inside edge of the front face frame.
How to Use the Drawer Slide Sizing Calculator
Finding your perfect hardware match only takes a few seconds when you follow these steps:
1. Measure the inside depth of your cabinet.
2. Pull your tape measure from the back interior wall straight to the inside edge of the front face frame.PDF
3. Enter that exact measurement (in inches) into the calculator’s input field.
The calculator will instantly output the correct undermount slide size to buy, as well as the exact exterior depth required for your wooden drawer box.
Introduction
Buying the wrong size drawer slides can bring your DIY cabinetry project to a frustrating halt. If you purchase hardware that is too long, your drawer box will physically refuse to close, and if you buy slides that are too short, you end up wasting valuable storage space at the back of your cabinets.
Instead of guessing or trying to memorize manufacturer measurement charts, our free Drawer Slide Sizing Calculator does the math for you. By simply entering your cabinet’s internal measurements, this tool calculates the exact slide length you need to purchase and dictates exactly how deep you need to build your custom wooden drawer box to ensure a flawless fit.
What Size Drawer Slides Do I Need?
To determine the correct hardware for your project, the golden rule is that your drawer slide length must be at least 1 inch shorter than the internal depth of your cabinet.
- If your minimum internal depth is 22 inches, buy 21-inch slides and build a 21-inch deep box.
- If your minimum internal depth is 13 inches, buy 12-inch slides and build a 12-inch deep box.
- If your minimum internal depth is 16 inches, buy 15-inch slides and build a 15-inch deep box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does my drawer box depth need to match the slide length exactly?
A. Yes. When using undermount hardware, the exterior depth of your wooden drawer box must match the slide length exactly. If the calculator tells you to buy 21-inch slides, you must build a box that is precisely 21 inches deep from front to back.
Q. Where exactly do I measure to find my internal cabinet depth?
A. To get an accurate reading, place your tape measure against the back interior wall of the cabinet and pull it straight forward to the inside edge of the front face frame. Do not measure to the outside of the doors or the exterior of the frame.
Q. Are these sizing rules for undermount or side-mount slides?
A. These specific measurement rules, where the box depth must exactly match the slide length, apply to premium undermount drawer slides. Undermount slides sit completely hidden beneath the plywood drawer box, requiring strict tolerances to function correctly.
Planning your next project? Browse our master hub of Free DIY Home & Garden Calculators to get instant material lists, spacing math, and budget estimates.